Whatever its name, crabwood is still the kind of shrubby
tree ( or tree-y shrub) you want to have on hand. It is a small
tree, generally columnar in growth, to 20 feet in height, found in coastal
hammocks throughout South Florida, the Keys and the Caribbean.

The color of the new growth is variably refractive, depending on your
viewing angle.

In the center of the photo at right, is a trimmed-up crabwood
in front of our office. It is about 15 feet tall, and, with subtle
unpretentiousness, makes a nice anchor plant in the design.

At center in the photo at right is a crabwood that has
been kept untrimmed. It is about 15' high and 8 feet wide.

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Above are two views of the slightly peculiar flower of crabwood.

The male spike is profusely covered with buds, while the
queen, wearing her bi-lobed crown, sits majestically at the top of her
stem, awaiting pollinating couriers.

She is the kind of queen that accepts gifts from
admirers and then tells them to get lost.